Growth performance and physiological status evaluation of Spirulina platensis algae supplementation in broiler chicken diet

• Published in: Livestock science 2022-09, Vol.263, p.105009, Article 105009
• Main Authors: El-Hady, Ahmed M. Abd, Elghalid, Osama A., Elnaggar, Asmaa Sh, El-khalek, Enass Abd
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Antioxidative status; Broiler chickens; Growth performance; Immune status; Jejunum histology; Spirulina
• ISSN: 1871-1413; 1878-0490
• DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2022.105009

•Spirulina can be a novel sustainable feed ingredient for broiler chickens.•Spirulina "as broiler chickens feed supplement" enhanced physiological functions and gut health.•Growth performance was greatest with the diet containing 6% of Spirulina.•Spirulina can be used as a natural antioxidant supplement for broiler chickens.•Spirulina is a good source of calcium and phosphorus to increase tibia strength.•Spirulina had a positive effect on immune status and broiler chicken gut health. Spirulina platensis algae (SPA) is a natural feed supplement with 40 to 45% crude protein, 2.44% Ca, and 6.27% P. It contains substances (e.g., β-carotene and zeaxanthin, and high Fe, vitamins and phycocyanin). These substances reveal potential biological properties such as antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and hypolipidemic contain. The effects of dietary supplementation of SPA on growth performance, antioxidative, immune status, and intestinal histology were investigated. A total of 540 broiler chickens were randomly assigned into 3 treatments of 18 breeding pens each housed in 6 replicates per each experimental treatment (30 broiler chickens per pen). Three diets were formulated to contain 0, 3, and 6% of SPA and fed from d 7 to 35. Body weight and body weight gain at 5 wk of age were greater in the diet containing 6% SPA compared with the 0% SPA. The supplementation of SPA to a broiler chicken diet improved the feed conversion ratio. The obtained results of the experiment showed that broiler chicken fed with 3 and 6% of feed SPA increased RBC, Hb, and WBC and lymphocyte was greater (P ≤ 0.05) values compared to the 0% SPA. Serum total lipid, cholesterol, and triglyceride concentrations in the diet containing 3 or 6% SPA decreased compared with the 0% SPA. Furthermore, the concentration of high-density lipoprotein was increased , while the opposite is observed with low-density lipoprotein concentration. Serum Ca and P concentrations had greater in the diet containing 3 or 6% SPA compared to the 0% SPA. Both the 3 and 6% SPA groups increased (P ≤ 0.05) blood glutathione; however, the SPA groups decreased (P ≤ 0.05) malondialdehyde but increased blood immunity status relative to the control group. Moreover, the content of Ca and P in tibia ash increased in both broiler chicken fed the diets containing 3 and 6% SPA compared with those fed the diet containing 0% SPA. In comparison to the control treatment, all experimental chickens had increased villus height, goblet cells per